Cornbread Dressing
Cornbread dressing for the holidays or anytime with roasted chicken or turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
Cornbread dressing for the holidays or anytime with roasted chicken or turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
- Carbohydrate 34.7465805923442 g
- Cholesterol 81.5633333333333 mg
- Fat 11.1579381490989 g
- Fiber 3.47703993485426 g
- Protein 6.02581077151439 g
- Saturated Fat 4.3674556303786 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (131g)
- Sodium 731.70061485401 mg
- Sugar 31.26954065749 g
- Trans Fat 0.957227323588992 g
- Calories 263 calories
Step-by-step
- Bake cornbread according to package directions; cool. Crumble cornbread into a large bowl. Cut or tear bread into 1/2 inch cubes, and add to cornbread.
- Melt butter in large skillet; add onion and celery, and saute 10 min. or until tender. Remove from heat; stir in poultry seasoning and next 3 ingredients. Stir into bread mixture along with chicken broth, parsley, and eggs; spoon into a lightly greased 2-qt. casserole.
- Bake dressing at 325 degrees for 35 min. or until golden brown. 8 servings.
Substituting standard sandwich bread with stale French bread alters the moisture absorption rate significantly, requiring careful attention to the liquid added so the final casserole avoids becoming dense or waterlogged. Professional kitchens rely on specific hydration ratios and methodical preparation to achieve the ideal balance between a crisp top crust and a tender interior.
- Bake the cornbread a day ahead and leave it uncovered on the counter at room temperature to dry out thoroughly, which maximizes its ability to absorb savory chicken broth without disintegrating into paste.
- Dice the white bread into precise half-inch cubes to ensure uniform distribution and even baking throughout the two-quart casserole dish.
- Sauté the chopped onions and celery in butter over medium-low heat for exactly ten minutes until translucent, releasing their sugars without acquiring unwanted brown color.
- Incorporate the beaten eggs only after the sautéed vegetable and broth mixture has cooled slightly to prevent premature coagulation of the proteins.
- Bake the assembled dressing in a preheated 325 degree oven for 35 minutes, watching for the edges to turn a deep golden brown and the internal temperature to register safely above 165 degrees.
Pair this rich side dish with roasted poultry and natural pan gravies that complement its savory sage and poultry seasoning notes. Proper cooling allows the starches to set fully before portioning individual servings.
